North America

Voyager targets $100 mln for fifth fund

Voyager Capital is seeking to raise $100 million for its fifth fund, according to an SEC filing. Based in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, Voyager is a venture firm that invests in software, cloud and big data applications in the Pacific Northwest.

Ripple launches Xpring

San Francisco-based Ripple, a provider of blockchain solutions for the payments industry, has launched Xpring, which "will invest in, incubate, acquire and provide grants to companies and projects run by proven entrepreneurs," according to an announcement on Ripple's website. Ethan Beard, former director of the Facebook Developer Network, will serve as Xpring's senior vice president to lead Xpring and Ripple's developer program.

Beam Therapeutics attracts $87 mln Series A

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Beam Therapeutics, a developer of precision genetic medicines through base editing, has raised up to $87 million in Series A funding. F-Prime Capital Partners and ARCH Venture Partners led the round.

Printify lands $1 mln

Printify, a print-on-demand platform, has raised $1 million in funding, according to an announcement on its site. The lead investor was Gokul Rajaram.

Lilly to buy TVM-backed AurKa Pharma in $735 mln deal

Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE: LLY) has agreed to acquire AurKa Pharma Inc, a Montréal-based developer of a cancer treatment for solid tumours originally discovered by Lilly. Lilly will acquire all shares of AurKa for an upfront payment of about $141 million (US$110 million). The company's shareholders could also receive up to about $594 million (US$465 million) in regulatory and sales milestones should AurKa's compound, AK-01, be approved in the United States and other markets. AurKa was founded and financed in 2016 by TVM Capital Life Science. Lilly, a U.S. pharmaceutical business, said the acquisition will expand its oncology pipeline.

Classifieds marketplace Carousell nabs $85 mln Series C

Carousell, a classifieds marketplace, has raised $85 million in Series C funding. Rakuten Ventures and EDBI led the round with participation from 500 Startups, Golden Gate Ventures, Sequoia India and DBS.

VC-backed Complexa recruits Salva as CEO and president

Berwyn, Pennsylvania-based Complexa Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, has named Francisco D. Salva as CEO and president. His appointment is effective immediately. Previously, Salva was founder and vice president of operations for Acerta Pharma B.V. Complexa's backers include Andera Partners, HBM Healthcare Investments, JAFCO, New Enterprise Associates and Pfizer Venture Investments.

VC-backed Kyriba appoints Canale as Latin America GM

New York-based Kyriba, a provider of cloud treasury and financial management solutions, has named Axel Canale as the new general manager for Latin America. Kyriba's backers include Sumeru Equity Partners, Bpifrance, Iris Capital, Daher Capital and HSBC.

VC-backed Pivotal Commware adds Lurie to board

Kirkland, Washington-based Pivotal Commware Inc, a provider of holographic beam forming technology, has appointed Glenn Lurie to its board of directors. Lurie is a former president and CEO of AT&T's mobility and consumer operations. Pivotal Commware's backers include Bill Gates, The Thermo Companies, DIG Investment and Lux Capital.

Qventus raises $30 mln

Mountain View, California-based Qventus, a provider of AI-based software platform for hospital operations management, announced that it has secured $30 million in Series B funding from Bessemer Venture Partners. New York-Presbyterian Hospital also participated in the round with existing investors Mayfield and Norwest Venture Partners. As part of the funding round, Stephen Kraus, partner at Bessemer, has joined the board. The company, founded in 2012, has now raised more than $43 million in total funding.